Mountain Adventure Holidays
A holiday spent hiking some of the best trails around Innsbruck. Austria is a paradise for walkers and hikers, offering a mix of dramatic alpine landscapes, charming villages, and well-maintained trails. Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, where natural beauty and cultural heritage go hand in hand. Here we take a city tour through the medieval old town, admire the Imperial Palace, the Court Church and ride the Nordketter cable car straight from the city centre to reach the ‘top of Innsbruck’.
Just south of Innsbruck lie the Stubai Alps, a stunning mountain range ideal for walkers of all levels - where you're always surrounded by breathtaking views. The area is dotted with mountain chapels, wildflower meadows, and glacial valleys, making every hike a visual delight.
We base this week in Neustift im Stubaital which is easily reached by public transport from Innsbruck. It offers authentic alpine charm, with cosy guesthouses, hearty Tyrolean cuisine, and vibrant local traditions. Whether you're hiking above the clouds or enjoying a slice of strudel in a mountain hut, the blend of alpine adventure and rich culture makes Innsbruck and the Stubai Alps are a must see hiking destination.
Experience authentic alpine charm from the start as we begin this trip in the Tyrolean village of Neustift im Stubaital. Enjoy hearty Tyrolean cuisine, vibrant local traditions and wonderful views. Easily reached by bus from the capital Innsbruck, Neustift is well positioned to access a variety of hikes in the region. This evening your guide will meet you at your hotel at approximately 1800 hrs, when they will answer questions and brief you on the days ahead. If you arrive early you might enjoy sampling the spa or explore the area around the hotel.
We begin today’s hike with a scenic ride on the Kreuzjochbahn cable car, ascending to the top station where sweeping panoramic views of the Stubai Alps greet us. From here, we follow the beautifully maintained Panorama Trail, a gentle descent offering stunning vistas throughout.
For those seeking a little extra adventure, there’s an optional detour to the summit of Niederer Burgstall a modest peak that rewards hikers with even broader views across the valley.
Our route continues toward the Schlickeralm Hütte, a traditional alpine hut renowned for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious regional snacks, an ideal spot for a mid-hike break.
Reaching the lift system’s middle station, guests have the option to descend by cable car or, for those with energy to spare, continue on foot for an additional 400 metres (1,312 feet) down to the valley floor.
Distance: 8.2km (5.09 miles) Ascent: 30m (98ft) Descent: 778m (2552ft) Duration: 3-3.5 hours
Today's circular route begins from the top of the Serlesbahn cable car which we take from Mieders. A series of forest paths and trails will take us over the Waldraster Jöchl summit to the Maria Waldrast monastery, a place of pilgrimage for many. Waldrast meaning ‘resting place’ in the local dialect. This is one of the highest monasteries in Europe and has a colourful history. According to legend, in 1407, two shepherd boys, Hans and Peter from Mützens, discovered the image of the Mother of God in a hollow larch trunk on Holy Saturday. In the same year, local lumberjack Christian Lusch was on his way home from work when he heard the sound of a bell. The Virgin Mary then appeared to him with a child in her arms and told him to build a church there. The Bishop of Brixen granted permission for the construction in 1409 and after twenty years, Lusch's dream came true the chapel was built.
After visiting the monastery we continue our circular trail, taking in Rinderberg 1720m as an excellent viewpoint looking north, before returning to our starting point.
Distance: 13.3km (8.2 miles) Ascent: 615m (2017ft) Descent: 778m (2552ft) Duration: 4.5 - 5 hours
Today we take a guided walking tour through the historic and beautiful alpine town of Innsbruck, capital of the Tirol and home to the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. With a professional city guide we will discover this unique alpine town with its long history, including many of the sights of the old town such as The Imperial Court Garden, Imperial Palace and the Court Church. Court Church is known by locals as black men (Schwarzmander) church due to the 28 life-size bronze figures that stand guard, watching over the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I.
Our day continues with a trip up the Hungerburgbahn mountain railway and the Hafelekarbahn to the ‘top of Innsbruck’ or Nordkette. From the top of the Hafelekarbahn (2269m) we can make easy ascents of the two peaks Gleirschspitze (2334m) and Hafelekarspitze (2317m) that dominate to the north followed by a descent to the top of the lift that takes us down to Hungerburg and back into Innsbruck.
Nordkette hike: Distance 3.4km (2.1miles) Ascent: 230m (754ft) Descent: 235m (771ft) Duration: 2 hours
Today’s journey begins with a cable car ride to the Stubai Glacier’s middle station, launching us straight into the heart of the high Alps. From here, we descend through a dramatic alpine landscape shaped by ancient glaciers, surrounded by rugged peaks and sweeping valley views.
Our trail leads us over rocky terrain and through serene high-altitude pastures, offering unforgettable vistas at every turn. A highlight of the day is our stop at the Sulzenauhütte, a traditional German Alpine Club (DAV) mountain hut, where we’ll enjoy a hearty alpine lunch featuring authentic Tyrolean specialities.
After refueling, we continue our descent into the valley, soaking in the natural beauty and tranquility of this stunning alpine region as we make our way down.
Distance: 12.4km (7.7 miles) Ascent: 470m (1542ft) Descent: 1333m 4373(ft) Duration 5.5-6 hours
We conclude our week of walking with a scenic cable car ride to the summit station of Patscherkofel, a mountain steeped in Olympic history as the venue for alpine events in the 1964 and 1976 Winter Games. From this broad and gentle summit, we’re treated to sweeping views across the Innsbruck valley and the dramatic Karwendel mountains beyond.
Our route begins with a steady ascent to the summit at 2304m (7559ft) via the east ridge, before descending to Boscheben. From here, we follow the famed Zirbenweg (Stone Pine Trail), a stunning high-altitude path lined with ancient pine forests, toward Issboden. The trail continues through the Jochtal and loops back up to Grünbichl.
We complete our circular hike at the Patscherkofel Schutzhaus, where there’s time to relax before taking the cable car back down, wrapping up our alpine journey with one last breathtaking view.
Distance: 11.4km (2.4miles) Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Descent: 700m (2296ft) Duration: 5-6 hours
Today is departure day. Trip services end after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The 4* Hotel Burgstall in Neustift im Stubaital is located 23km (14 miles) from Innsbruck. The furnishing is a blend of elegant comfort and modern luxury. They pride themselves on combining excellent hospitality with typical Tyrolean charm.
It offers comfortable rooms with balconies, private bathrooms, and stunning mountain views. Guests enjoy excellent facilities including a sauna and steam room, sun terrace, garden and games room. There is a bar and restaurant serving Austrian and international cuisine, vegetarian options, and breakfast is served as a buffet. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
This week of walking is based around Innsbruck, Austria which easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
Travelling around Europe by train or coach is very easy. We recommend using Trainline and RailEurope to plan your train travel, and Flixbus or Eurolines if you prefer to travel by coach. Please refer to our blog for more information on travelling by public transport.
Innsbruck has it's own international airport with excellent onward taxi, bus and train connections to neighbouring cities and countries.
The easiest way to reach Neustift im Stubaital is to take the bus from Innsbruck which runs every 30 minutes taking about 40 minutes. The timetable can be found HERE - bus no. 590.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
It is entirely your own responsibility to ensure that any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and for the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks and Trails cannot advise on insurance policies and cannot be held responsible if in the event of a claim your insurance is inadequate.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
In the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes. Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
On all our summer trips you must have waterproof jackets AND trousers. We reserve the right to ask you to opt out of a hiking day and take public transport if we have a bad the weather forecast and you are inadequately equipped.
When packing for a hiking trip in the mountains it's important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single supplement for this trip is £325 in 2026 and £340 in 2027.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
Usually we do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card.
On many of our walks we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
If any of the accommodation has a problem with their water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to drink water from the tap. Hotels - In some countries it is not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water at the evening meal. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost. Mountain Huts - If your trip features a stay in a mountain hut/refuge and the tap water is not potable then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost of bottled water at the evening meal. Sparkling water is not included in this option and any cost should be covered by you.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
In the mountains the 'waste water' in refuges (huts) often runs into the nearby streams and rivers with potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.
You can read our full policy here.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 04 Jul - Fri 10 Jul Code: ADW1 |
Price: £1795 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 05 Sep - Fri 11 Sep Code: ADW2 |
Price: £1795 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 03 Jul - Sat 10 Jul Code: ADW1 |
Price: £1865 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 04 Sep - Sat 11 Sep Code: ADW2 |
Price: £1865 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1795 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 7 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2334m (7657ft) |
| Countries Visited | Austria |
| Meet In | Neustift im Stubaital |
